You are a manager of a baseball team. Your leadoff man doubles to start game...?

Question

I dont understand why so many managers don't bunt the man over to third base in that situation, or ask for the batter to hit the ball to the right side of infield to advance the runner to third base. I think scoring the first run of the game is very important, and the runner could score from third on a wild pitch or a pass ball too.

Answer 1

Ten years ago, it would have been almost automatic to bunt him over and try to score him with one out. However, more and more teams are studying statistics that argue against the bunt theory, on the basis that you're really just giving away an out and that you're better off trying for the big inning.

I'm not sure which party is correct - You obviously have a chance at a more productive inning if you don't "give away" an out, but there's something to be said about taking runs when you can get them. My guess is that, given the high number of runs scored per game, teams have to maximize their chances by trying for a big inning, and not settling for that first run.

Answer 2

NO DON'T BUNT!!!
Hitting to the right side is one thing, your number two hitter should be trying to get on base like always!
Sacrifice bunts (by a batter other than a pitcher) are the single stupidest play a Major League Manager can consistently make without getting fired!
The perfect offense never makes an out, your goal as an offense is to get on base as much as possible and try not to use up an out, why would you just SACRIFICE one of only 27 precious outs?

Answer 3

first, a wild pitch or pass ball is not that common in pro ball. Maybe little league but those games are usually highscoring so don't take a chance on sacrificing runs for outs at taht level. scoring the first run of the game is not as important as you think simly b/c the game just started. If the pitcher has already gave up a double then take your chances with the 2, 3 , 4 hitters getting hits also and don't give away outs at that point just to advance someone for a flyball or passball.

Answer 4

The only time you should be bunting runners over is either

1. in the 7th inning or later of a close game
or
2. when you are facing a tough pitcher that you know is dealing and is going to be hard to score on..

To do it in the first inning is selling yourself short. Most teams have a quality guy in the 2 spot. And a base hit usually scores him anyways. If you bunt him over you then have one out to get a sac fly or 2 outs to get a hit to drive him in. If you just swing away instead of bunting you have 3 outs to get one hit.

And should that quality 2 spot hitter gets a hit then you have a run scored , no outs , and a runner still on base. Where as even if you bunt him over and get a hit then you have 1 run, 1 out and no base runner. And if he is sac flied in after the bunt, then you have 2 outs and 1 run and no one on base.

Makes it much harder for the pitcher if you swing away.Its already harder for hitters than pitchers, so why give them more of an advantage.

Answer 5

I tend to agree with you because I'm a National League, small-ball kind of guy, but there's too many variables in play to say that they should bunt them over in all situations. For example, it depends a lot on who your #2 and #3 hitters are. If your #2 hitter is a good bunter and has some speed (like a Kenny Lofton-type), then move the guy over. If your #2 hitter is more of a masher who can't bunt or hit it where he wants it to go (Paul Lo Duca), then take your chances and swing away.

Also, it depends on how hot your team has been hitting. If runs have been hard to come by in the past few games, then play small ball. If your team has been raking recently, then swing away and try to stay hot.

Maybe it depends on who's pitching. If your ace is on the hill, then bunt and try to give an early lead so your starter can cruise. If you've got a kid on the mound, then maybe you feel you'll need to play for the big inning.

I normally err on the side of small ball, but I'll swing away if the situation is right.

Answer 6

Your top of the order guys are usually really good hitters and also have speed so why bunt when they can steal just as easily. This is your #1 an #2 hole hitters. Why waste an out bunting? Your #3 and #4 hitters are usually your guys who hit more power and are good with RISP. The only time you would need to bunt is in a critical inning when you need insurance or need to tighten the gap if you are losing. It is dumb to bunt just because your leadoff man is at second. He is already in scoring position so why bunt? A solid base hit gets him in.

Answer 7

You don't have to bunt because you have a runner in scoring position. Since your leadoff spot hitter is supposed to be an excellent runner he would be able to score from second with only a single. The 2nd spot hitter is supposed to be a good average hitter (Ex. Derek Jeter). He must be able to drive the runner in.
You bunt runners to scoring position (1st to 2nd), so bunting him over to third base, does not make much sense anymore.

Answer 8

I believe the game has changed to the point, where you don`t see as much of that anymore. You still see most #2 batters try to hit the ball to the right side, but they`re all so big & strong now that long ball is the game. A lot of your infielders bang doubles off the wall now instead of infield hits.

Answer 9

Why waste an out? It might not work, and with a runner on second and no outs, you're really likely to get a run. I mean, if you're the Red Sox, for example, JD Drew doubles, and you've got Youkilis, Ortiz, and Manny coming up... why make one of your best hitters bunt?

Answer 10

Well lets see your leadoff man is your speed man and your number 2 is usually a good contact hitter not to mention you have your heart of the lineup coming up why sacrifice an out so early when you have a man in scoring position with three possibly four of your top hitters coming up to hit.